They say good things come to those who wait but, despite finally receiving his work permit this week, there may be a sting in the tail for Taiwo Awoniyi.
Goal is reporting that while a striker who joined Liverpool in 2015 is now free to pull on that iconic red shirt at long last, chances are the powerhouse Nigerian will have to move elsewhere in search of an opportunity in English football.
With performances like his two-goal display at Old Trafford increasingly rare, the subtle, cerebral Roberto Firmino risks being replaced at Anfield by something closer to a classic, archetypal number nine.
Dusan Vlahovic and Patrick Bamford have both been linked. 23-year-old Awoniyi would fit the bill too, at least stylistically, with his 6ft frame, hard-running style and broad-shouldered strength.
But while Vlahovic and Bamford have found the net regularly in a major European league this term, the same can’t be said of Awoniyi. That famous winner against Borussia Dortmund in December was one of only five goals he has scored in 20 Bundesliga matches on loan at Union Berlin.
Jurgen Klopp may be a fan but, in truth, Awoniyi hasn’t done enough to suggest he’d be an upgrade on perennial benchwarmer Divock Origi. He’s 23, remember, not 18.
And with Goal reporting Fulham, Stoke City and recently relegated West Bromwich Albion have all made enquiries about the £8 million-rated Awoniyi, many on Merseyside expect Liverpool to take the money and run.
This is a club that made £12 million from Danny Ward, sold Dominic Solanke for £19 million and forced Bournemouth to splash out a club-record £15 million for Jordon Ibe.
Making a £7.5 million profit on a striker who hasn’t played a single game in six years at Anfield would be very Liverpool.
Here’s what some Liverpool fans had to say on Twitter about Awoniyi:
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